Methods, systems, and media for navigating a user interface with a toolbar

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and media for navigating a user interface with a toolbar are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: causing a toolbar containing selectable options to be presented concurrently with media content items, wherein each of the selectable options corresponds to a category of media content and is associated with a textual item and a graphical item that relate to the category of media content being presented with that selectable option; determining that a first selectable option from the selectable options has been selected; modifying the toolbar by causing a first animation to be displayed that replaces the textual item with the graphical item associated with the first selectable option, wherein each of the remaining selectable options continue to be represented with the corresponding textual item; determining that a second selectable option from the selectable options has been selected; and modifying the toolbar by causing a second animation to be displayed that replaces the textual item with the graphical item associated with the second selectable option and a third animation to be displayed that replaces the graphical item with the textual item associated with the first selectable option.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/177,777, filed Jun. 9, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/174,485, filed Jun. 11, 2015, eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to methods, systems, and media fornavigating a user interface with a toolbar. More particularly, thedisclosed subject matter relates to providing media guidance with atoolbar, where one or more selectable options on the toolbar can bemodified to show textual identifying information or graphicalidentifying information.

BACKGROUND

A navigational toolbar is a portion of a graphical user interface thatassists users in accessing information. Such toolbars generally includemultiple links or tabs to particular types of information. For example,a toolbar that is part of a web browsing application can include tabsdirecting the user to particular types of web content or tabs directingthe user to particular browsing features. Each of these tabs isidentified by a text label that fills up the width of the tab. While theuser may easily be able to see what each tab represents with the textlabel, each tab takes up a substantial amount of space. The user maydeem this to be unnecessary, for example, with the currently selectedtab as the user has already selected this tab and understands thecontent received in response to selecting the tab without requiring atext label. Such toolbars with tabs identified by text labels may alsobe cumbersome for graphical user interfaces being displayed on mobiledevice screens and, more particularly, small mobile device screens.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide new methods, systems, and mediafor navigating a user interface with a toolbar.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter,methods, systems, and media for navigating a user interface with atoolbar are provided.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, amethod for media guidance is provided, the method comprising: causing atoolbar containing a plurality of selectable options to be presentedconcurrently with media content items, wherein each of the plurality ofselectable options corresponds to a category of media content, whereineach of the plurality of selectable options is associated with a textualitem and a graphical item that relate to the category of media contentbeing presented with that selectable option, and wherein each of theplurality of selectable options is currently presented with the textualitem; determining that a first selectable option from the plurality ofselectable options has been selected; modifying the toolbar by causing afirst animation to be displayed that replaces the textual itemassociated with the first selectable option with the graphical itemassociated with the first selectable option, wherein each of theremaining selectable options of the plurality of selectable optionscontinue to be represented with the corresponding textual item;determining that a second selectable option from the plurality ofselectable options has been selected; and modifying the toolbar bycausing a second animation to be displayed that replaces the textualitem associated with the second selectable option with the graphicalitem associated with the second selectable option and a third animationto be displayed that replaces the graphical item associated with thefirst selectable option with the textual item associated with the firstselectable option.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: determining whetherto include a selectable option in the toolbar based on availability ofthe media content items in the category of media content; and, inresponse to determining that the selectable option should be included inthe toolbar, retrieving the textual item and the graphic item associatedwith the selectable option prior to presenting the toolbar.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving userpreferences relating to the toolbar; and selecting, without userintervention, a selectable option in the toolbar based on the userpreferences, wherein the toolbar is modified in response to theselection.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving userpreferences relating to the toolbar; and inhibiting a selectable optionin the toolbar from being presented based on the user preferences.

In some embodiments, the second animation shows the textual itemassociated with the second selectable option transforming into thegraphical item associated with the second selectable option, and thethird animation shows the graphical item associated with the firstselectable option transforming into the textual item associated with thefirst selectable option, where the second animation and the thirdanimation are presented concurrently.

In some embodiments, the first selectable option that is identified bythe textual item is a first size in the toolbar and wherein the firstanimation of the first selectable option includes reducing the firstselectable option from a first size to a second size that accommodatesthe graphical item.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the secondselectable option has been reduced, the third animation of the firstselectable option includes returning the first selectable from thesecond size to the first size.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises causing a navigationcursor to be presented for navigating the toolbar, where, in response todetermining that the navigation cursor is navigating away from the firstselectable option, the second animation shows the textual itemassociated with the second selectable option transforming into thegraphical item associated with the second selectable option and thethird animation shows the graphical item associated with the firstselectable option transforming into the textual item associated with thefirst selectable option.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, asystem for media guidance is provided, the system comprising: a hardwareprocessor that is configured to: cause a toolbar containing a pluralityof selectable options to be presented concurrently with media contentitems, wherein each of the plurality of selectable options correspondsto a category of media content, wherein each of the plurality ofselectable options is associated with a textual item and a graphicalitem that relate to the category of media content being presented withthat selectable option, and wherein each of the plurality of selectableoptions is currently presented with the textual item; determine that afirst selectable option from the plurality of selectable options hasbeen selected; modify the toolbar by causing a first animation to bedisplayed that replaces the textual item associated with the firstselectable option with the graphical item associated with the firstselectable option, wherein each of the remaining selectable options ofthe plurality of selectable options continue to be represented with thecorresponding textual item; determine that a second selectable optionfrom the plurality of selectable options has been selected; and modifythe toolbar by causing a second animation to be displayed that replacesthe textual item associated with the second selectable option with thegraphical item associated with the second selectable option and a thirdanimation to be displayed that replaces the graphical item associatedwith the first selectable option with the textual item associated withthe first selectable option.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, anon-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform a method for media guidance, the method comprising: causing atoolbar containing a plurality of selectable options to be presentedconcurrently with media content items, wherein each of the plurality ofselectable options corresponds to a category of media content, whereineach of the plurality of selectable options is associated with a textualitem and a graphical item that relate to the category of media contentbeing presented with that selectable option, and wherein each of theplurality of selectable options is currently presented with the textualitem; determining that a first selectable option from the plurality ofselectable options has been selected; modifying the toolbar by causing afirst animation to be displayed that replaces the textual itemassociated with the first selectable option with the graphical itemassociated with the first selectable option, wherein each of theremaining selectable options of the plurality of selectable optionscontinue to be represented with the corresponding textual item;determining that a second selectable option from the plurality ofselectable options has been selected; and modifying the toolbar bycausing a second animation to be displayed that replaces the textualitem associated with the second selectable option with the graphicalitem associated with the second selectable option and a third animationto be displayed that replaces the graphical item associated with thefirst selectable option with the textual item associated with the firstselectable option.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, asystem for media guidance is provided, the system comprising: a meansfor presenting a toolbar containing a plurality of selectable optionsconcurrently with media content items, wherein each of the plurality ofselectable options corresponds to a category of media content, whereineach of the plurality of selectable options is associated with a textualitem and a graphical item that relate to the category of media contentbeing presented with that selectable option, and wherein each of theplurality of selectable options is currently presented with the textualitem; means for determining that a first selectable option from theplurality of selectable options has been selected; means for modifyingthe toolbar by causing a first animation to be displayed that replacesthe textual item associated with the first selectable option with thegraphical item associated with the first selectable option, wherein eachof the remaining selectable options of the plurality of selectableoptions continue to be represented with the corresponding textual item;means for determining that a second selectable option from the pluralityof selectable options has been selected; and means for modifying thetoolbar by causing a second animation to be displayed that replaces thetextual item associated with the second selectable option with thegraphical item associated with the second selectable option and a thirdanimation to be displayed that replaces the graphical item associatedwith the first selectable option with the textual item associated withthe first selectable option.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subjectmatter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the followingdetailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered inconnection with the following drawings, in which like reference numeralsidentify like elements.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an illustrative example of a systemfor media guidance in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative example of hardware that can be used in aserver and/or a user device in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative example of a process for navigating a userinterface with a toolbar having selectable options that transitionbetween textual identifying information and graphical identifyinginformation in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative example of a user interface for presentingmedia interfaces along with a toolbar for navigating through mediacontent in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative example of a user interface for presentingmedia interfaces along with a toolbar for navigating through mediacontent, where a first selectable option from the toolbar has beenselected, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative example of a user interface for presentingmedia interfaces along with a toolbar for navigating through mediacontent, where a second selectable option from the toolbar has beenselected, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods, systems, and media for navigating a user interface with atoolbar are provided.

In accordance with some embodiments, media interfaces representing mediacontent items can be presented in a user interface, thereby allowing auser to browse and/or navigate through multiple media interfaces toselect a media content item to consume. These media interfaces can bepresented, for example, in a grid of media interfaces, as a column ofmedia interfaces, as a row of media interfaces, as multiple rows ofmedia interfaces with each row representing a group of related mediainterfaces, and/or using any other suitable technique or techniques.

In some embodiments, a navigation toolbar can be presented as part ofthe user interface. For example, in response to launching an applicationfor consuming game-related content, a navigation toolbar can bepresented, where the navigation toolbar includes multiple selectableoptions or tabs. These selectable options can be provided to allow auser to navigate through different categories of media content items. Itshould be noted that each of the selectable options in the navigationtoolbar can be identified by a textual item (e.g., a text label thatdescribes the media content items provided in response to selecting theselectable option) or a graphical item (e.g., an icon or any othersuitable representation that describes the media content items providedin response to selecting the selectable option).

It should also be noted that, prior to presenting the navigationtoolbar, information relating to the toolbar and the selectable optionsin the toolbar can be retrieved. Such information can include, forexample, a textual item associated with a selectable option, a graphicalitem associated with a selectable option, a number of selectable optionsthat are available for presentation with the toolbar, an indication ofwhether media content items are available or present in connection witha particular selectable option (e.g., an indication that there are nomedia content items for the “Livestreamed Gaming Videos” tab), renderinginformation (e.g., width of a selectable option having a textual item,width of a selectable option having a graphical item, etc.), etc.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that a first selectableoption has been selected, the navigation toolbar can be modified. Forexample, this can include displaying a first animation that replaces thetextual item associated with the first selectable option with thegraphical item associated with the first selectable option, while theremaining selectable options continue to be represented with theircorresponding textual item. In a more particular example, this caninclude an animation that transforms the textual item into the graphicalitem, an animation that slides the textual item out of the selectableoption and slides the graphical item into the selectable option, ananimation that causes the textual item to fade out while the graphicalitem fades in an area provided by the selectable option, or animationthat performs any other suitable technique.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that a second selectableoption has been selected, the navigation toolbar can be furthermodified. Continuing with the above-mentioned example, this can includedisplaying a second animation that replaces the textual item associatedwith the second selectable option with the graphical item associatedwith the second selectable option and a third animation that replacesthe graphical item associated with the first selectable option with thetextual item associated with the first selectable option. It should benoted that, in some embodiments, in response to determining that thesecond selectable option has been selected (e.g., receiving a userselection, detecting a navigation cursor away from the first selectableoption to the second selectable option, etc.), the second animation andthe third animation can be presented concurrently.

In some embodiments, the selection of a media interface by the user cancause the presentation of the associated media content item. Forexample, in response to receiving one or more directional inputs (e.g.,issued by a user input device) to select a selectable option in thetoolbar and in response to receiving a user selection of a particularmedia interface, the corresponding media content item can be presentedto the user.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, a media interfacepresented in response to selecting a selectable option on the navigationtoolbar can represent a single media content item and/or a collection ofmedia content items (e.g., a playlist of videos, a playlist of songs, acollection of images, etc.). In some embodiments, a selection of mediainterfaces presented in a user interface can include a combination ofone or more media interfaces each representing single media contentitems and one or more media interfaces each representing a collection ofmedia content items. For example, in response to concurrently presentinga media interface along with media content identified by the mediainterface, the user can be provided with an opportunity to navigatethrough media interfaces that represent other single media content itemsand/or media interfaces that represent a collection of media contentitems.

It should also be noted that media content items can be any suitablemedia content. For example, media content can include audio and/or videomedia content. As another example, media content can include print mediacontent or image media content. As still another example, media contentcan include a collection of media content, such as a playlist of videos,a playlist of songs, a collection of images, etc. As a further example,media content can include subscription based media content, such aspodcasts, online magazine subscriptions, etc. As another furtherexample, media content can include interactive media content, such asapplications and video games. As another further example, media contentcan include any suitable combination thereof and/or any other suitablemedia content.

Although the embodiments described herein generally relate to thepresentation of gaming-related media content, this is merelyillustrative. The mechanisms described herein can be used in connectionwith providing a toolbar for navigating through any suitable content.

FIG. 1 shows an example 100 of a generalized schematic diagram of asystem on which the mechanisms for navigating a user interface includingcontent relevant to a particular video game with a toolbar as describedherein can be implemented in accordance with some embodiments. Asillustrated, system 100 can include one or more user devices 110. Userdevices 110 can be local to each other or remote from each other. Userdevices 110 can be connected by one or more communications links 108 toa communication network 106 that can be linked to a server 102 via acommunications link 104.

System 100 can include one or more servers 102. Server 102 can be anysuitable server or servers for providing access to the mechanismsdescribed herein for navigating a user interface including contentrelevant to a particular video game with a toolbar, such as a hardwareprocessor, a computer, a data processing device, or any suitablecombination of such devices. For example, the mechanisms for navigatinga user interface including content relevant to a particular video gamewith a toolbar can be distributed into multiple backend components andmultiple frontend components and/or user interfaces. In a moreparticular example, backend components, such as: mechanisms forproviding an indication that a video relevant to one or more categories,keywords, video games, and/or selectable options on a toolbar ispresent; mechanisms for associating one or more textual items and one ormore graphical items with a selectable option on a toolbar; mechanismsfor selecting videos to be presented by a user interface associated witha particular video game; mechanisms for receiving requests for mediacontent; mechanisms for generating a toolbar having selectable options;mechanisms for modifying the toolbar with one or more animations; etc.,can be performed on one or more servers 102. In another particularexample, frontend components, such as presentation of a user interfacethat includes a toolbar having selectable options, initiating requestsfor a user interface associated with a particular video game, initiatingrequests for media content, presentation of the transformation ormodification of a selectable option etc., can be performed on one ormore user devices 110.

In some embodiments, each of user devices 110 and server 102 can be anyof a general purpose device such as a computer or a special purposedevice such as a client, a server, etc. Any of these general or specialpurpose devices can include any suitable components such as a hardwareprocessor (which can be a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, acontroller, etc.), memory, communication interfaces, displaycontrollers, input devices, etc. For example, user device 110 can beimplemented as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a mobile telephone, awearable computer, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a digitalmedia receiver, a set-top box, a smart television, a home entertainmentsystem, a game console, any other suitable computing device, or anysuitable combination thereof.

Communications network 106 can be any suitable computer network orcombination of such networks including the Internet, an intranet, awide-area network (WAN), a local-area network (LAN), a wireless network,a Wi-Fi network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, a frame relaynetwork, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), an intranet, etc. Each of communications links 104 and108 can be any communications links suitable for communicating dataamong user devices 110, and servers 102, such as network links, dial-uplinks, wireless links, hard-wired links, any other suitablecommunications links, or any suitable combination of such links. Notethat, in some embodiments, multiple servers 102 can be used to provideaccess to different mechanisms associated with the mechanisms describedherein for navigating a user interface including content relevant to aparticular video game with a toolbar. For example, system 100 caninclude a media content discovery server 102 that facilitates discoveryof media content available from a media content platform using themechanisms described herein, a media content delivery server 102 thatresponds to requests for the media content by causing the video contentto be presented to a user, a user interface generation server 102 thatcreates instructions for presenting a user interface associated with aparticular video game, and/or any other suitable servers for performingany suitable functions of the mechanisms described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example 200 of hardware that can be used toimplement one or more of user devices 110 and servers 102 depicted inFIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. Referring to FIG. 2, user device 110 can include a hardwareprocessor 212, a display 214, an input device 216, and memory 218, whichcan be interconnected. In some embodiments, memory 218 can include astorage device (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) forstoring a computer program for controlling hardware processor 212.

Hardware processor 212 can use the computer program to execute themechanisms described herein for initiating requests for a user interfaceassociated with a particular video game that includes a navigationtoolbar having selectable options or tabs, presenting the userinterface, initiating requests for media content via the user interface,and/or to perform any other suitable functions in accordance withinstructions received as a result of, for example, process 300 describedabove in connection with FIG. 3, and/or to send and receive data throughcommunications link 108. In some embodiments, hardware processor 212 cansend and receive data through communications link 108 or any othercommunication links using, for example, a transmitter, a receiver, atransmitter/receiver, a transceiver, or any other suitable communicationdevice. Display 214 can include a touchscreen, a flat panel display, acathode ray tube display, a projector, a speaker or speakers, and/or anyother suitable display and/or presentation devices. Input device 216 canbe a computer keyboard, a computer mouse, a touchpad, a voicerecognition circuit, a touchscreen, and/or any other suitable inputdevice.

Server 102 can include a hardware processor 222, a display 224, an inputdevice 226, and memory 228, which can be interconnected. In someembodiments, memory 228 can include a storage device for storing datareceived through communications link 104 or through other links. Thestorage device can further include a server program for controllinghardware processor 222. In some embodiments, memory 228 can includeinformation stored as a result of user activity (e.g., metadata input bya user, sharing of content by users, requests for content associatedwith users, etc.), and hardware processor 222 can receive requests topresent a user interface associated with a particular video game fromuser devices 110. In some embodiments, the server program can causehardware processor 222 to, for example, execute process 300 as describedbelow in connection with FIG. 3.

Hardware processor 222 can use the server program to communicate withuser devices 110 as well as provide access to and/or copies of themechanisms described herein. It should also be noted that data receivedthrough communications link 104 or any other communications links can bereceived from any suitable source. In some embodiments, hardwareprocessor 222 can send and receive data through communications link 104or any other communication links using, for example, a transmitter, areceiver, a transmitter/receiver, a transceiver, or any other suitablecommunication device. In some embodiments, hardware processor 222 canreceive commands and/or values transmitted by one or more user devices110 and/or one or more users of server 102, such as a user that makeschanges to adjust settings associated with the mechanisms describedherein for aggregating and presenting content relevant to a particularvideo game. Display 224 can include a touchscreen, a flat panel display,a cathode ray tube display, a projector, a speaker or speakers, and/orany other suitable display and/or presentation devices. Input device 226can be a computer keyboard, a computer mouse, a touchpad, a voicerecognition circuit, a touchscreen, and/or any other suitable inputdevice.

In some embodiments, server 102 can be implemented in one server or canbe distributed as any suitable number of servers. For example, multipleservers 102 can be implemented in various locations to increasereliability and/or increase the speed at which the server cancommunicate with user devices 110. Additionally or alternatively, asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 1, multiple servers 102 can beimplemented to perform different tasks associated with the mechanismsdescribed herein.

Turning to FIG. 3, an example 300 of a process for displaying mediainterfaces concurrently with a toolbar having selectable options andmodifying the toolbar based on determining that a selectable option onthe toolbar has been selected is illustrated in accordance with someembodiments.

Process 300 can begin by receiving a request to browse through mediacontent items at 310. The request can be received from any suitablesource. For example, in some embodiments, a request can be generated bya hardware processor determining that a particular web page has beenloaded. As another example, in some embodiments, a request can begenerated by a hardware processor determining that a user has entered asearch query; the request can therefore indicate that media contentitems which satisfy the parameters of the search query should bepresented. In yet another example, in some embodiments, a request can begenerated by a hardware processor determining that a particularapplication has been launched on a user device. Such an application can,for example, present media content relevant to a particular video game(e.g., user-generated video content, livestreamed video content,official video content from the game developers, video reviews, andother video content relevant to “Game X” by Game Developer Y).

In some embodiments, process 300 can retrieve information associatedwith a toolbar containing multiple selectable options in response toreceiving the request to browse through media content at 320. Suchinformation can include, for example, a textual item associated with aselectable option, a graphical item associated with a selectable option,a number of selectable options that are available for presentation withthe toolbar, an indication of whether media content items are availableor present in connection with a particular selectable option (e.g., anindication that there are no media content items for the “LivestreamedGaming Videos” tab), rendering information (e.g., width of a selectableoption having a textual item, width of a selectable option having agraphical item, etc.), etc. In a more particular example, in response todetermining that no media content items are available or present for aparticular option, process 300 can inhibit that the selectable option ortab from being presented in the toolbar.

In some embodiments, at 330, process 300 can present a toolbarcontaining multiple selectable options along with one or more mediainterfaces in response to receiving the request. The toolbar includingone or more selectable options and the one or more media interfaces canbe presented in any suitable manner.

For example, in some embodiments, the one or more media interfaces 410can be presented in a grid of two or more rows, as shown in anddescribed in connection with FIG. 4. As also shown in FIG. 4, a toolbar420 including one or more user interface components 430-444 (e.g., tabs,buttons, and/or any other suitable type of component) can be positionedabove the media interfaces 410 and used to cause additional and/oralternative media interfaces to be presented. For example, in responseto selecting a user interface component corresponding to a category orgenre of content (e.g., “About,” “All,” “Live,” “Popular,” “Reviews,”“Game Play,” “From the Publisher,” “Personalized,” etc.), mediainterfaces corresponding to media content in the selected contentcategory and relevant to a particular video game can be presented. In amore particular example, in response to selecting user interfacecomponent 434, which has the text label “Live,” media interfacescorresponding to livestreamed media content for that particular videogame can be presented. In another more particular example, in responseto selecting user interface component 430, which was the text label“About,” a single media interface that includes content describing theparticular video game and/or describing media content relating to theparticular video game can be provided.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, each of the selectableoptions can be represented by a textual item, such as a text label, or agraphical item, such as an icon. For example, selectable option 430 isidentified by a textual item (“About”) in FIG. 4 and selectable option430 is identified by a graphical item in FIG. 5. For example, as shownin FIGS. 4-6, textual items can include a block of text. In someembodiments, textual items can include any suitable text along withimages, icons, graphics, animations, videos, and/or any other suitablecontent. The position of the textual item in selectable options 430-444in toolbar 420 is merely an example, and the textual item can bepresented in any suitable position.

In some embodiments, these textual items and graphical items associatedwith each selectable option can, for example, be designated by theapplication developer, the video game developer, or the user. Forexample, graphical items associated with the video game developer orpublisher can assist the user in understanding that the media contentitems being presented correspond to official video content that isendorsed by the video game developer or publisher.

In response to generating navigation toolbar 420 along with mediainterfaces 410 for display, process 300 can determine whether aselectable option should be represented with its associated textual itemor its associated graphical item.

As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, upon requesting to browsethrough media content relevant to a particular video game, the toolbarcan initially use textual items associated with each of the selectableoptions in navigation toolbar 410. This can, for example, provide theuser viewing the toolbar with information as to what media content isrepresented by each of the selectable options. Alternatively, in someembodiments, a default option from selectable options 430-444 can beselected. For example, the leftmost selectable option (e.g., option 430with the text label “About”) can be selected, where its graphical item(e.g., an icon) is used to represent the selectable option. In anotherexample, the user of the user device can provide a preference setting asto which selectable option is to be the default selection (e.g., alwayspresent “All” content). In yet another example, upon receivingaffirmative consent from the user of the user device, process 300 canaccess historical browsing information to determine which selectableoption is likely to be selected by the user of the user device and/orwhich selectable option should be hidden (e.g., as likely to not beselected by the user). Continuing this example, upon loading anapplication for browsing through content relevant to a particular videogame on a mobile device, the application can prompt the user to provideauthorization for receiving information from one or more data sources,performing such determinations, and/or recommending one or more actionsto the user.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, process 300 can determinethat a first selectable option from the multiple selectable options oruser interface elements has been selected at 340. This determination canbe made using any suitable technique or combination of techniques andcan be based on any suitable information. For example, in someembodiments, process 300 can determine if a selectable option in thenavigation toolbar has been selected by determining if a particularinput has been received by an input device associated with user device110. As a more particular example, process 300 can determine if aparticular area associated with a selectable option in the navigationtoolbar has been touched and/or clicked, if a particular button and/orcombination of buttons on a remote control device have been selected,and/or if any other suitable input has been received. Additionally oralternatively, process 300 can determine that a selectable option in thetoolbar has been selected if a navigational cursor or pointer has beenplaced over that selectable option.

If, at 340, it is determined that no selectable option has beenselected, process 300 can loop back to 330 and continue to present oneor more media interfaces in a user interface. For example, an initialuser interface, such as the one shown in FIG. 4, can provide a toolbarthat includes multiple selectable options for navigating through mediacontent items associated with a particular video game. In response to aparticular period of time elapsing and in response to determining that aselectable option has not been selected, a default option fromselectable options 430-444 can be selected and its associated mediainterface or media content items can be presented to the user. Incontinuing this example, after another particular period of time haselapsed and in response to determining that a selectable option has notbeen selected, a different option (e.g., an adjacent selectable option)from the navigation toolbar can be selected and its associated mediainterface or media content items can be presented to the user.

Alternatively, if, at 340, it is determined that a selectable option ofthe multiple selectable options in the navigation toolbar has beenselected, process 300 can modify the navigation toolbar at 350. Themodification can be made based on any suitable information and using anysuitable technique or combination of techniques. For example, in someembodiments, each of the selectable options in the navigation toolbarcan be associated with an animation file that, when executed on a userdevice, causes a textual item to fade out, slide out, and/or any othersuitable technique from the selected option and causes a graphical itemto fade in, slide in, and/or any other suitable technique into theselected option, or vice versa. In such an example, each selected optioncan transition from being identified by a textual item (e.g., a textdescription having n characters) to a graphical item (e.g., an iconhaving a fixed pixel width). In a more particular example, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the “About” option 430 has been selected and, in responseto determining that option 430 has been selected, process 300 canexecute an animation file that causes the textual item “About” to bereplaced with graphical icon 510 in FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, a highlight bar 520 or any other suitable userinterface elements can be presented to show which option is currentlyselected.

In some embodiments, when transitioning between a textual item and agraphical item associated with a selectable option, the size of theselected option in the toolbar can be modified. For example, in someembodiments, each graphical item associated with the selectable optionsin the navigation toolbar can be a given size (e.g., n pixels wide). Assuch, in response to transforming a selectable option that is identifiedby a textual item that is n characters long to a graphical item having afixed pixel width, the selected option can be reduced in size. It shouldbe noted that, in some embodiments, each of the graphical itemspositioned within the selectable option can occupy a particular pixelwidth (e.g., the same or similar tab width).

Additionally, if it is determined that a selectable option of themultiple selectable options in the navigation toolbar has been selected,process 300 can present the associated media interfaces corresponding tomedia content for a particular video game in the category or genrerepresented by the selected option. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, mediainterfaces 410 can include a collection of individual media interfaces.Although six media interfaces are shown in FIGS. 4-6, any suitablenumber of media interfaces, including none, can be presented.

In some embodiments, media interfaces 410 can be presented based on anysuitable information and can be presented in response to any suitableaction. For example, in some embodiments, media interfaces 410 can bepresented based on a search query from a user. As a more particularexample, in some embodiments, media interfaces 410 can be selectedand/or generated to correspond to one or more media content items whichmatch a search query submitted by a user (e.g., a query for mediacontent items in a particular genre, a query for a particular mediacontent item, and/or any other suitable type of query). As anotherexample, in some embodiments, media interfaces 410 can be presentedbased on determining a particular web page has been loaded (e.g., a homepage corresponding to a provider of the media interfaces, and/or anyother suitable web page). In some embodiments, media interfaces 410 canbe selected and/or created to correspond to media content items whichmeet particular criteria. As a more particular example, in someembodiments, the presented media interfaces 410 can represent a group ofpopular media content items (e.g., the X most popular media contentitems over a particular time period, and/or any other suitable metric ofpopularity).

In some embodiments, individual media interfaces within the multiplemedia interfaces 104 can be associated with any suitable type or typesof media content. For example, media interfaces 410 can each beassociated with a single video. As another example, media interfaces 410can each be associated with a playlist which contains multiple videos(or links to videos). As yet another example, media interfaces 410 canbe associated with a song and/or any other piece of audio content. Asstill another example, media interface 410 can be associated with aplaylist which contains individual items of audio content. In someembodiments, a playlist can contain a combination of video content,audio content, and/or any other suitable media content (e.g., images, aslideshow of images, etc.). In some embodiments, any suitable number ofmedia content items, and any suitable type of media content items, canbe included in a playlist.

In some embodiments, individual media interfaces can include titles thatindicate the content of the media content associated with acorresponding media interface. For example, a title can indicate whetherthe media content associated with the corresponding media interface is asingle media content item (e.g., a video) or a playlist (e.g., acollection of videos). As another example, a title can indicate a topicof the media content associated with the corresponding media interface.In some embodiments, a title can include any suitable text, images,icons, graphics, animations, and/or any other suitable content. In someembodiments, a title can be omitted.

In some embodiments, individual media interfaces can include thumbnailimages. Thumbnail images can be any suitable image which represents themedia content associated with the corresponding media interface. Forexample, a thumbnail image can be an image which represent the topic ofthe media content associated with the corresponding media interface. Asanother example, in some embodiments, a thumbnail image can include ascreen capture from a frame of the corresponding media content item. Asyet another example, in some embodiments, a thumbnail image canrepresent the creator of the media content associated with thecorresponding media interface (e.g., a logo of an entity, and/or anyother suitable representation of the creator of the media content). Insome embodiments, a thumbnail image can include any suitable images,icons, graphics, animations, and/or any other suitable content. In someembodiments, a thumbnail image can be omitted.

It should be noted that elements, such as titles, thumbnail images,and/or other media identifier elements, that are presented can be basedon one or more items of metadata associated with the media content withwhich the media identifier element is associated. For example, the mediaidentifier element can include title information based on title metadataof the media content. As another example, the media identifier elementcan include an image based on thumbnail metadata of the media contentand/or a frame of image data from the data of the media content.

Although the individual media interfaces shown in FIGS. 4-6 can includetitles, thumbnail images, and/or other media identifier elements, insome embodiments, any other suitable information based on metadataassociated with the corresponding media content items can be included.For example, in some embodiments, an individual media interface canindicate the name of the creator of an item of media content representedby the media interface. As another example, in some embodiments, anindividual media interface can indicate the number of views an item ofmedia content represented by the media interface has received. As yetanother example, in some embodiments, an individual media interface canindicate that a contact (e.g., a friend, an acquaintance, a friend of afriend, and/or any other suitable contact) of a user has watched and/orrated an item of media content represented by the media interface.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, process 300 can continueto determine whether another selectable option from the multipleselectable options or user interface elements has been selected at 360.As described above, this determination can be made using any suitabletechnique or combination of techniques and can be based on any suitableinformation. For example, in some embodiments, process 300 can determineif a selectable option in the navigation toolbar has been selected bydetermining if a particular input has been received by an input deviceassociated with user device 110. As a more particular example, process300 can determine if a particular area associated with a selectableoption in the navigation toolbar has been touched and/or clicked, if aparticular button and/or combination of buttons on a remote controldevice have been selected, and/or if any other suitable input has beenreceived. Additionally or alternatively, process 300 can determine thata selectable option in the toolbar has been selected if a navigationalcursor or pointer has been placed over that selectable option. Forexample, process 300 can determine that a navigational cursor or pointerhas moved off of a first selectable option and onto a second selectableoption.

If, at 360, it is determined that another selectable option of themultiple selectable options in the navigation toolbar has been selected,process 300 can modify the navigation toolbar at 370. As describedherein, the modification can be made based on any suitable informationand using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. Forexample, in some embodiments, each of the selectable options in thenavigation toolbar can be associated with an animation file that, whenexecuted on a user device, causes a textual item to fade out, slide out,and/or any other suitable technique from the selected option and causesa graphical item to fade in, slide in, and/or any other suitabletechnique into the selected option, or vice versa. In such an example,each selected option can transition from being identified by a textualitem (e.g., a text description having n characters) to a graphical item(e.g., an icon having a fixed pixel width). In a more particularexample, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the “About” option 430 has beende-selected and, in response to determining that option 430 has beende-selected, process 300 can execute an animation file that causes thegraphical icon 510 in FIG. 5 to return to the textual item “About” 430in FIG. 6. Continuing with this example, the “Game Play” option 440 hasbeen selected (e.g., by moving a navigational cursor over option 440)and, in response to determining that option 440 has been selected,process 300 can execute an animation file associated with option 440that causes the textual item “Game Play” 440 to be replaced withgraphical icon 620 in FIG. 6.

Additionally, process 300 can cause media interfaces corresponding tomedia content relevant to the selected option to be presented to theuser for selection.

In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can includeserver-side software, client-side software, server-side hardware,client-side hardware, firmware, or any suitable combination thereof. Forexample, these mechanisms can encompass one or more web pages or webpage portions (e.g., via any suitable encoding, such as Hyper TextMarkup Language (“HTML”), Dynamic Hyper Text Markup Language (“DHTML”),Extensible Markup Language (“XML”), JavaServer Pages (“JSP”), ActiveServer Pages (“ASP”), Cold Fusion, or any other suitable approaches). Asanother example, these mechanisms can encompass a computer program thatcauses a processor (such as hardware processor 512 and/or hardwareprocessor 522) to execute the mechanisms described herein. For instance,these mechanisms can encompass a computer program written in aprogramming language recognizable by user device 410, and/or server 402that is executing the mechanisms (e.g., a program written in aprogramming language, such as, Java, C, Objective-C, C++, C #,JavaScript, Visual Basic, HTML, XML, ColdFusion, any other suitableapproaches, or any suitable combination thereof).

In situations in which the mechanisms described herein collect personalinformation about users, or can make use of personal information, theusers can be provided with an opportunity to control whether programs orfeatures collect user information (e.g., information about user actionsstored on a user device 110, information about user actions stored on aremote device such as server 102, etc.), or to control whether and/orhow to receive messages for promoting content. In addition, certain datacan be treated in one or more ways before it is stored or used, so thatpersonal information is removed. For example, a user's identity can betreated so that no personal information can be determined for the user,or a user's geographic location can be generalized where locationinformation is obtained (such as to a city, ZIP code, or state level),so that a particular location of a user cannot be determined. Thus, theuser can have control over how information is collected about the userand used by a content server.

In some embodiments, any suitable computer readable media can be usedfor storing instructions for performing the functions and/or processesdescribed herein. For example, in some embodiments, computer readablemedia can be transitory or non-transitory. For example, non-transitorycomputer readable media can include media such as magnetic media (suchas hard disks, floppy disks, etc.), optical media (such as compactdiscs, digital video discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), semiconductor media(such as flash memory, electrically programmable read only memory(EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),etc.), any suitable media that is not fleeting or devoid of anysemblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitabletangible media. As another example, transitory computer readable mediacan include signals on networks, in wires, conductors, optical fibers,circuits, any suitable media that is fleeting and devoid of anysemblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitableintangible media.

In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the above describedsteps of the process of FIG. 3 can be executed or performed in any orderor sequence not limited to the order and sequence shown and described inthe figures. Also, some of the above steps of the process of FIG. 3 canbe executed or performed substantially simultaneously where appropriateor in parallel to reduce latency and processing times. Furthermore, itshould be noted that FIG. 3 are provided as examples only. At least someof the steps shown in these figures may be performed in a differentorder than represented, performed concurrently, or omitted.

The provision of the examples described herein (as well as clausesphrased as “such as,” “e.g.,” “including,” and the like) should not beinterpreted as limiting the claimed subject matter to the specificexamples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate only some ofmany possible aspects. It should also be noted that, as used herein, theterm mechanism can encompass hardware, software, firmware, or anysuitable combination thereof.

Accordingly, methods, systems, and media for navigating a user interfacewith a toolbar are provided.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in theforegoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the presentdisclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerouschanges in the details of implementation of the invention can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which islimited only by the claims that follow. Features of the disclosedembodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for media guidance, comprising:determining that a request to browse through media content itemsincludes a particular type of media content; causing a user interfacetoolbar that corresponds to the particular type of media content andthat contains a plurality of selectable options to be presentedconcurrently with the media content items responsive to the request,wherein each of the plurality of selectable options corresponds to acategory of media content, wherein each of the plurality of selectableoptions is associated with a textual item that identifies the categoryof media content being presented with that selectable option and acorresponding graphical icon that represents the category of mediacontent being presented with that selectable option, and wherein each ofthe plurality of selectable options is currently presented with thetextual item and the corresponding graphical icon is inhibited frombeing presented; determining that a first selectable option from theplurality of selectable options has been selected; modifying the userinterface toolbar by causing a first animation to be displayed thatreplaces the textual item associated with the first selectable optionwith the graphical icon associated with the first selectable option;determining that a second selectable option from the plurality ofselectable options has been selected; and modifying the user interfacetoolbar by causing a second animation to be displayed that replaces thetextual item associated with the second selectable option with thegraphical icon associated with the second selectable option and a thirdanimation to be displayed that replaces the graphical icon associatedwith the first selectable option with the textual item associated withthe first selectable option.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theparticular type of media content is a gaming content type.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: determining whether to include aselectable option in the user interface toolbar based on availability ofthe media content items in the category of media content; and inresponse to determining that the selectable option should be included inthe user interface toolbar, retrieving the textual item and the graphicitem associated with the selectable option prior to presenting the userinterface toolbar.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving user preferences relating to the user interface toolbar; andselecting, without user intervention, a selectable option in the userinterface toolbar based on the user preferences, wherein the userinterface toolbar is modified in response to the selection.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving user preferencesrelating to the user interface toolbar; and inhibiting a selectableoption in the user interface toolbar from being presented based on theuser preferences.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first selectableoption that is identified by the textual item has a plurality ofcharacters occupying a first size in the user interface toolbar andwherein the first animation of the first selectable option includesreducing the first selectable option from the first size in the userinterface toolbar to a second size that accommodates a pixel width ofthe graphical icon.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of theremaining selectable options of the plurality of selectable optionsshift to accommodate the textual item associated with the firstselectable option and the graphical icon associated with the secondselectable option.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the secondanimation shows the textual item associated with the second selectableoption transforming into the graphical icon associated with the secondselectable option, wherein the third animation shows the graphical iconassociated with the first selectable option transforming into thetextual item associated with the first selectable option, and whereinthe second animation and the third animation are presented concurrently.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second animation of the secondselectable option includes reducing the second selectable option from athird size that accommodates the plurality of characters in the textualitem of the second selectable option to a fourth size that accommodatesthe pixel width of the graphical icon corresponding to the secondselectable option and wherein, in response to determining that thesecond selectable option has been reduced, the third animation of thefirst selectable option includes returning the first selectable optionfrom the second size to the first size.
 10. The method of claim 7,further comprising causing a navigation cursor to be presented fornavigating the user interface toolbar, wherein, in response todetermining that the navigation cursor is navigating away from the firstselectable option, the second animation shows the textual itemassociated with the second selectable option transforming into thegraphical icon associated with the second selectable option and thethird animation shows the graphical icon associated with the firstselectable option transforming into the textual item associated with thefirst selectable option.
 11. A system for media guidance, the systemcomprising: a hardware processor that: determines that a request tobrowse through media content items includes a particular type of mediacontent; causes a user interface toolbar that corresponds to theparticular type of media content and that contains a plurality ofselectable options to be presented concurrently with the media contentitems responsive to the request, wherein each of the plurality ofselectable options corresponds to a category of media content, whereineach of the plurality of selectable options is associated with a textualitem that identifies the category of media content being presented withthat selectable option and a corresponding graphical icon thatrepresents the category of media content being presented with thatselectable option, and wherein each of the plurality of selectableoptions is currently presented with the textual item and thecorresponding graphical icon is inhibited from being presented;determines that a first selectable option from the plurality ofselectable options has been selected; modifies the user interfacetoolbar by causing a first animation to be displayed that replaces thetextual item associated with the first selectable option with thegraphical icon associated with the first selectable option, wherein eachof the remaining selectable options of the plurality of selectableoptions shift to accommodate the graphical icon associated with thefirst selectable option while continuing to be represented with thecorresponding textual item; determines that a second selectable optionfrom the plurality of selectable options has been selected; and modifiesthe user interface toolbar by causing a second animation to be displayedthat replaces the textual item associated with the second selectableoption with the graphical icon associated with the second selectableoption and a third animation to be displayed that replaces the graphicalicon associated with the first selectable option with the textual itemassociated with the first selectable option, wherein each of theremaining selectable options of the plurality of selectable optionsshift to accommodate the textual item associated with the firstselectable option and the graphical icon associated with the secondselectable option.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the particulartype of media content is a gaming content type.
 13. The system of claim11, wherein the hardware processor further: determines whether toinclude a selectable option in the user interface toolbar based onavailability of the media content items in the category of mediacontent; and in response to determining that the selectable optionshould be included in the user interface toolbar, retrieves the textualitem and the graphic item associated with the selectable option prior topresenting the user interface toolbar.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein the hardware processor further: receives user preferencesrelating to the user interface toolbar; and selects, without userintervention, a selectable option in the user interface toolbar based onthe user preferences, wherein the user interface toolbar is modified inresponse to the selection.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein thehardware processor further: receives user preferences relating to theuser interface toolbar; and inhibits a selectable option in the userinterface toolbar from being presented based on the user preferences.16. The system of claim 11, wherein the first selectable option that isidentified by the textual item has a plurality of characters occupying afirst size in the user interface toolbar and wherein the first animationof the first selectable option includes reducing the first selectableoption from the first size in the user interface toolbar to a secondsize that accommodates a pixel width of the graphical icon.
 17. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein each of the remaining selectable options ofthe plurality of selectable options shift to accommodate the textualitem associated with the first selectable option and the graphical iconassociated with the second selectable option.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein the second animation shows the textual item associated withthe second selectable option transforming into the graphical iconassociated with the second selectable option, wherein the thirdanimation shows the graphical icon associated with the first selectableoption transforming into the textual item associated with the firstselectable option, and wherein the second animation and the thirdanimation are presented concurrently.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein the second animation of the second selectable option includesreducing the second selectable option from a third size thataccommodates the plurality of characters in the textual item of thesecond selectable option to a fourth size that accommodates the pixelwidth of the graphical icon corresponding to the second selectableoption and wherein, in response to determining that the secondselectable option has been reduced, the third animation of the firstselectable option includes returning the first selectable option fromthe second size to the first size.
 20. The system of claim 17, whereinthe hardware processor further causes a navigation cursor to bepresented for navigating the user interface toolbar, wherein, inresponse to determining that the navigation cursor is navigating awayfrom the first selectable option, the second animation shows the textualitem associated with the second selectable option transforming into thegraphical icon associated with the second selectable option and thethird animation shows the graphical icon associated with the firstselectable option transforming into the textual item associated with thefirst selectable option.
 21. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumcontaining computer-executable instructions that, when executed by ahardware processor, cause the hardware processor to perform a method formedia guidance, the method comprising: determining that a request tobrowse through media content items includes a particular type of mediacontent; causing a user interface toolbar that corresponds to theparticular type of media content and that contains a plurality ofselectable options to be presented concurrently with the media contentitems responsive to the request, wherein each of the plurality ofselectable options corresponds to a category of media content, whereineach of the plurality of selectable options is associated with a textualitem that identifies the category of media content being presented withthat selectable option and a corresponding graphical icon thatrepresents the category of media content being presented with thatselectable option, and wherein each of the plurality of selectableoptions is currently presented with the textual item and thecorresponding graphical icon is inhibited from being presented;determining that a first selectable option from the plurality ofselectable options has been selected; modifying the user interfacetoolbar by causing a first animation to be displayed that replaces thetextual item associated with the first selectable option with thegraphical icon associated with the first selectable option, wherein eachof the remaining selectable options of the plurality of selectableoptions shift to accommodate the graphical icon associated with thefirst selectable option while continuing to be represented with thecorresponding textual item; determining that a second selectable optionfrom the plurality of selectable options has been selected; andmodifying the user interface toolbar by causing a second animation to bedisplayed that replaces the textual item associated with the secondselectable option with the graphical icon associated with the secondselectable option and a third animation to be displayed that replacesthe graphical icon associated with the first selectable option with thetextual item associated with the first selectable option, wherein eachof the remaining selectable options of the plurality of selectableoptions shift to accommodate the textual item associated with the firstselectable option and the graphical icon associated with the secondselectable option.